The Robert Pillon Memorial Dinner may still be months away, but that is not stopping organizers from drumming up support now.

The dinner is the main fundraiser for The Amherstburg Heroes Athletic Club, a program to keep those with a disability active.

The dinner will be held on March 17 at the Knight of Columbus.

Co-founder of the Amherstburg Heroes, Michelle Jones-Rousseau said tickets would be available to the public next week but noted that only 200 tickets will printed and will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

“We were over sold last year,” said Jones-Rousseau. “We need to sell tickets earlier this year so we can be more organized.”

The Amherstburg Heroes Athletic Club is a partnership between Community Living Essex County’s Channel Resource Centre location and Amherstburg police.

Last year’s dinner raised $5,000 with a matching donation from The Jones Group bringing the overall total to approximately $10,000. Jones-Rousseau said such proceeds fund gym rentals at General Amherst High School, new equipment including basketballs, jackets, T-shirts, hats as well as Christmas, bowling parties and Windsor Spitfire hockey games.

Tickets for the dinner are $20 each and will be available next week at Channel or at the Amherstburg police station. There will also be a 50/50 draw and raffle that night.

“This is our only fundraiser, we’re not doing anything else,” said Jones-Rousseau. “This keeps the club running from year to year.”

The recipient of the Robert Pillon Memorial Award will announced at the dinner. Past winner included Bryan Dzombak, Lindsay James and Cody LeClair.

Jones-Rousseau said the dinner is the highlight of the year for the Amherstburg Heroes.

“Some of the athletes started asking me about the dinner in September,” she joked. “It’s always a fun night and it connects us with the community.”

The Amherstburg Heroes Athletic Club currently has roughly 60 athletes and they meet every Wednesday evening. Anyone wishing to volunteer or to donate a door prize for the fundraiser can contact Jones-Rousseau at 519-791-3302.

“We hope to get the same continued support from the community they have shown us over the years,” said Jones-Rousseau said.